Chocolate Quinoa Fudge Balls or Energy Balls are made with almonds, quinoa, and dates. Satisfy your cravings with this low fat and delicious snack option. It's a great "grab and go" snack and is full of yumminess that you and your family will love.These energy balls work great as a pre or post-workout option for adults or an after school snack for kids.
My Kids R2 Age 10 & R3 Age 5 love these Chocolate Quinoa Fudge balls. As I have mentioned in my early post Creamy cranberry energy bites , R2 is a swimmer and is in a all year round swim team and practices 4 times a week. During summer, he becomes a part of a summer swim team and he swims daily and has competition based swim meets twice a week. My little one R3 is following his elder bother footsteps. He started learning swimming late last year and now he is also a part of the same summer swim team. The swim practice is at 7:30 am in the morning and we get up early to head out to the community center as it is around 13 miles (21 Km) away from home. These Chocolate Quinoa fudge balls keeps them charged up for swim practice and makes sure that they are not too hungry or stuffed before their meet. A win-win for both me and my kids :D
I'm always on the lookout for healthy snacks for my family, especially easy recipes since I am pretty busy with my kids different schedule . We love our "grab and go" recipes like Date & Almond squares , 3 Ingredient Apricot Energy bites , and Oven Roasted Whole Mung as they keep the kids energized for the busy schedule they have, however this recipe for homemade Protein filled balls is one of our all time favorites.
I know that a lot of people still purchase ready-made protein bars /snacks in the stores for convenience purposes, but it is great if you can spare a little bit of time and make a big batch of something like this and have it on hand.You'll save a ton of money, have total control over the ingredients and well, they taste great too.
Every bite is bursting with flavor, they’re only lightly sweetened and have this wonderful hearty texture. A fill-you-up bites that’s perfect for vegan, gluten free, Paleo and on-the-go breakfast/snack lovers alike.
This super duper simple recipe is a great one for getting kids involved in the kitchen as it does not require baking. These bites will take you around 10 minutes to make and this is where they can get excited and shape them as rectangles or other shapes that they may like? I’m too boring, so I just went with plain old circle ;) 2 bite balls.
Do checkout our other recipes made using Dates & Nuts
Chocolate Quinoa Fudge Balls
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup quinoa /uncooked
- 1 cup dates, pitted /10-12
- 1/3 cup almonds
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup/honey
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- Cocoa powder to coat/optional
- pistachio powder to coat/optional
- shredded coconut to coat/optional
Instructions
- Heat oven to 350°F. Spread quinoa out on a baking sheet and bake for 6-8 minutes, until toasted and golden.
- check after 6 minutes to make sure they don't burn.(You can even roast it on stove top foe 15 min on low flame)
- In a food processor, combine the dates, almonds, and cocoa powder.
- add maple syrup and pulse it few times, then blend on high for few minutes, until the mixture is in small uniform bits as pictured above. Mixture will be 'doughy'.
- Add the maple syrup and blend for 10 seconds until it is evenly mixed.
- Take some of the dough in your hand. If it firmly sticks together, proceed with the rest of the recipe. If it is crumbly, add another tablespoon of maple syrup and blend again.
- Add the toasted quinoa and pulse it few times to mix it through.
- Remove it in a bowl . make whatever shape you desire .
- You can be creative and make them look more attractive by rolling them in cocoa powder, pistachio powder, shredded coconut.. etc.
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Deepa VenuKumar says
Can I replace quinoa with amaranth seeds?
Soniya Saluja says
Hi Deepa ,Yes you can replave quinoa with amaranth seeds.
Shifali says
Hi there!
Loving your blog lately.
I have a query regarding whole wheat date cake recipe. For some reason I am not able to comment there. I need to ask whether the amount of dates can be reduced in that recipe? I am someone who prefers mild sweetness not average. Can you please guide me in this regard. Excited to try that cake!
Soniya Saluja says
Hi Shifali ,No worries !! Well you can reduce the dates to half the quantity.. Just make sure to taste and check if they are sweet and juicy :) hope this helps .
Joanie@Zagleft says
So healthy and delicious and a great way to satisfy a sweet craving without the guilt.
Molly Kumar says
I can totally nosh on couple of them and they look so easy to make. I love energy balls and usually have some at home for post workout snack. I'll try this combination soon.
Daniela Apostol says
Never thought of tossing quinoa, rather than cooking it. These balls sound like the perfect snack, healthy and delicious too. Bring on snack time!
Marisa Franca Stewart says
I truly think this is recipe I've seen in a while that would make the kids believe that we had gone totally nuts and were giving them candy. I can't wait to make these.
Francesca | SevenRoses.net says
This recipe is absolutely divine! I love to make similar protein-packed balls but I never used quinoa... Definitely going to try this asap :-)
Eileen Murphy Kelly says
I am a huge fan of energy bites. My daughter plays lacrosse year round and so important for healthy transportable snacks. I love your ingredients and the quinoa is awesome
Rachel@The Confused Millennial says
omg this looks SO good! I can't wait to make it!
Michelle Blackwood says
Wow, love how you toasted the quinoa first. This is a great idea, bet they keep you full
Marlynn [UrbanBlissLife] says
I love energy bites, and have recently started making more for pre- and post-workouts, and to take with us when we are traveling to and from kids' activities. These look delicious! Love the addition of quinoa to them.
Veena Azmanov says
Now that sounds like a perfect snack before going to the gym. I love how simple and easy this is. Can't wait to try.
Stephanie Sain says
These sound like the perfect post workout snack. I'm always looking for ideas for new snacks. Never thought of toasting Quinoa. Can't wait to try this.
Homemade & Yummy says
Totally love making my own healthy snacks. These sound delicious, and so easy to make. I think my grandkids would love to help with these.
Noel Lizotte says
As busy as I've been lately, I need a whole bowl of these energy builders! What an easy recipe, too
Adriana Martin says
This look incredible and the use of the quinoa is creative and perfect. I bet this ones are the perfect treat after dinner and a good option for gourmet gifts.
valmg says
Quinoa is really gaining in popularity. These look like they have a really intriguing texture.
Allison - Celebrating Sweets says
I bet I could eat a whole bowl of these. What a great way to use quinoa!
Lynn White says
I've never tried quinoa in a sweet or dessert before. It looks so good!
Chef Sarah E says
Oh wow that swim team is a major commitment! Impressive, too, that your kids are engaged and sticking with it! I am also always looking for nutritious snacks, especially ones that keep them fueled up for the day. These quinoa fudge balls looks great!